WelcomeIf you are new to Poms In Oz and migrating to Australia or currently living in Australia feel free to say hi to all the other either in or moving to Oz.
I'm also a single parent of a 7 year old and awaiting a decision on my 176 visa. Not decided where to go yet but at the moment my faves are Brisbane and Perth.
I'm excited but also scared of the thought that i wont have my parent for babysitters whilst i'm at work but i'm still not put off.
Can i ask why did you choose Canberra? Ive not really looked into Canberra.
Hi Suzy, can i ask how old is your child and has she settled in the local school ok. Where are you in Perth?
Thanks
Hi loujen78,
my daughter is 3 yrs, initially i put her into daycare 5 days a week (first couple of weeks quite hard) she now goes 3 days a week after i have tweaked my shifts around and she loves it, i feel happy with the work/home life balance now. She loves oz and says she 'doesnt want to go home!' -probably because we can get out to the parks more etc. Im living in an inner western suburb called shenton park.
I'm also a single parent of a 7 year old and awaiting a decision on my 176 visa. Not decided where to go yet but at the moment my faves are Brisbane and Perth.
I'm excited but also scared of the thought that i wont have my parent for babysitters whilst i'm at work but i'm still not put off.
Can i ask why did you choose Canberra? Ive not really looked into Canberra.
I didn't really choose Canberra - it choose us I suppose, Im a Social Worker by trade even though I don't practice here, the job was advertised in the Community Care magazine I get - so its a relocation package really - if I get the job. I don't think Im brave enough to sell up and go any other way really - I have to stay 18mths min or pay back the relocation fees - Canberra looks ideally located, spent loads of time on the earth thingy!!
Both kids & I love to Ski and its driveable from there, boys love to surf and I have relatives in Sydney and Melbourne, so it really couldn't be better placed.
I am concerned about leaving my family - but I do everything here and if we go and get settled then I hope life will be very much the same but better weather and more time to spend with them - will wait and see.
__________________ Catherine, Brad 15, Louis 14, Cameron 9 and Jake 7
Hi - just joined - mum of 4 boys with an interview next month that will take us all to Canberra for a new life - anyone else done it alone - I do have relatives in OZ but not in Canberra - would be great to hear from you if you are going to the same place possibly or are a single parent going to a different part of the country.
Wow! all the best to ya hun, im still in the uk and im sure even with my oh at my side its still gonna be difficult, yet to do it on your own ! wow You go gal
P.s im hovering between Adelaide and Melbourne!! not literally! lol
Thank you to you all - very welcoming to the site -
For those of you that are there - I have hundreds of questions, schools - do you pay for children to attend? Can you get assistance as parents do here as in Child benefit etc? Have you actually been to OZ before making the move? Anyone else work for the dhcs in child care?
The flight.......... the bit Im dreading if I ever get there... direct or stop offs? If I had my way Id do it over weeks - hate the thought of being sat on a plane for hours...with 4 kids
Will let you know how the interview goes -
Suzy you make it sound easier than I thought - have you relatives anywhere near you?
__________________ Catherine, Brad 15, Louis 14, Cameron 9 and Jake 7
Good luck Tess, hope you all enjoy it, I can't answer your questions (pretty new myself) but I'm sure you'll get some good answers from the good folk on here
Hi we have been in Sydney for 2 months and are heading to Canberra at the end of the month, cant wait, although havnt found a house to rent yet, we have left our children at home (they are older) I was a young mum lol. stay in touch and let me know how its going.
Regards
Michele
Hi Tess,
i dont have relatives anywhere in oz, i had never been to perth before but had travelled the east coast for a couple of months 4 yrs back (when i was single and pregnant! but with my best friend)
Its basically as you say-the same daily things but i get to do more stuff with my daughter as there is more things to do, its usually cheaper or free (unlike uk) and weather allows you to get out more.
Its quite hard at the moment trying to meet people, and if i do get invited out i cant afford babysitter very often and theres only so many times you can decline before not getting invited again! Its also a case of where to meet people as either working or at home in the evenings as little one is in bed. All work collegues are 50+, so has been hard.Havent met any other single mums yet-but that would be good.
The first month was the worst-so stressful, but i knew it was bound to be hard. All calmed down now and settling well...just a little lonely at times but its only been 3 months and im sure i will gradually meet more people. Its a shame your heading to perth!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by tess1
Thank you to you all - very welcoming to the site -
For those of you that are there - I have hundreds of questions, schools - do you pay for children to attend? Can you get assistance as parents do here as in Child benefit etc? Have you actually been to OZ before making the move? Anyone else work for the dhcs in child care?
The flight.......... the bit Im dreading if I ever get there... direct or stop offs? If I had my way Id do it over weeks - hate the thought of being sat on a plane for hours...with 4 kids
Will let you know how the interview goes -
Suzy you make it sound easier than I thought - have you relatives anywhere near you?
I didn't really choose Canberra - it choose us I suppose, Im a Social Worker by trade even though I don't practice here, the job was advertised in the Community Care magazine I get - so its a relocation package really - if I get the job. I don't think Im brave enough to sell up and go any other way really - I have to stay 18mths min or pay back the relocation fees - Canberra looks ideally located, spent loads of time on the earth thingy!!
Both kids & I love to Ski and its driveable from there, boys love to surf and I have relatives in Sydney and Melbourne, so it really couldn't be better placed.
I am concerned about leaving my family - but I do everything here and if we go and get settled then I hope life will be very much the same but better weather and more time to spend with them - will wait and see.
Hi to all out there.
I too am a single mum hoping to travel out to Perth in January 09. Got job, got registration. Fortunately girls are a little bit older (in their teens) so no childminding worries for me, but there are all the other worries that go along with moving to somewhere as far away without having been there before either. I know I'm extremely nervous but despite anxieties I can't wait either. Good luck to anyone and everyone.
